Washing machine having a pivotally mounted prime moving system with belt tension adjusting means



April 17, 1962 T. H. FOGT WASHING MACHINE HAVING A PIVOTALLY MOUNTEDPRIME Filed June 25, 1959 MOVING SYSTEM WITH BELT TENSION ADJUSTINGMEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 k r E |ll||||| 1; m HI c:::::: 04 d g g g Q Qr-4-Q 0 0 I:

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T. H. F 3, WASHING MACHINE HAVING A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED PRIME MOVINGSYSTEM WITH BELT TENSION ADJUSTING MEANS Filed June 25, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 2 80 .90 I //0 I I I Open Line Vol/age I32 "8'06 F1918 usn4 1 I38 @EMKKW "7 I66 INVENTOR. 7' h. F a lromas 0g His Affdmey Aprll17, 1962 T. H. FOGT 3,029,624

WASHING MACHINE HAVING A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED PRIME MOVING SYSTEM WITH BELTTENSION ADJUSTING MEANS Filed June 25,' 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 m Mr f 2.o w. M m .8 m m Fig.7

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WASHING MACHINE HAVING A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED PRIME MOVING SYSTEM WITH BELTTENSION ADJUSTING MEANS Filed June 25, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 8 2. mw% W4 m 0 7 F r. 7 0 m n 8 W .5 O T M 0 86 Fig. 4

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Filed June 25, 1959, Ser. No. 822,877 7 Claims. (CI. 68-23) Thisinvention relates to a. domestic appliance and more particularly to animproved prime moving system for a washing machine.

With the development of the many manmade fabrics, it is necessary toprovide multiple speed operation for clothes washing apparatus.Consequently, many washing machines now provide two speeds of agitationand two speeds of spin. In this way, the delicate fabrics may be handledat the speed most suitable therefor. The addition of multiple speedaction to washing machines has given rise to problems in the primemoving system of the machine. Where the motor is connected directly asby belts to the mechanism which actuates either agitate or spin, theproblems attending motor acceleration are especially pronounced. It isimportant that maximum torque be exerted during the initial phases ofagitate and spin acceleration. This requires that the start winding of amotor must be energized to meet this maximum torque and not dropped outuntil suflicient inertia is obtained to permit the motor to accelerateto its selected running speed. However, the requirement for a pluralityof washing machine operating speeds has necessitated the use ofdifferently sized pulleys in the prime moving system, for instance, alarge pulley for high speed spin and a small pulley for low speed spin.Small pulleys, however, do not have sufiicient diameter to provideenough wrap for the pulley belt to prevent slip during motoracceleration. This slipping in the past has been erratic and hasresulted in undesirable cycling of the motor at its start winding cutoutpoint, thereby causing excessive switch wear, a general delay inbringing the spin tub up to speed and overheating of the motor. It is tothe solution of these problems that this invention is directed.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a prime movingsystem which may be adjustably connected to an agitating and spinningmechanism.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a prime moving systemfor operating an agitate and spinning mechanism at a plurality of speedsand wherein said system is directly connected to said mechanism.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a prime movingsystem mounted adjacent an agitate and spinning mechanism and having avertically mounted motor adjustably horizontally pivoted to saidmechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide an actuating mechanismfor a clothes washer with a prime moving system including a verticallymounted power shaft and a pair of driving pulleys relatively rotatablymounted on said shaft and wherein one of said pulleys is adapted toslippingly drive said mechanism and the other of said pulleys is adaptedto nonslippingly drive said mechanism.

A still further object of this invention is the provision for amulti-speed driving system adapted for belt connection to a drivenagitate and spinning mechanism and wherein said system may be adjustedto vary selectively the tension on said belts.

A more specific object of this invention is the provision of anactuating mechanism for a clothes washer including an agitating andspinning mechanism and a prime moving system for said mechanism, saidmechanism being adapted to produce a spinning operation when rotated ine A 3,629,624 Q Patented Ap 1962 one direction and an agitatingoperation when rotated in another direction, and said prime movingsystem having a vertically mounted motor horizontally pivoted onbrackets adjustably connected to said mechanism, a pair of pulleysselectively rotated by said motor, a pair of driving belts engaging saidpulleys and a pair of springs for pivoting said prime moving system in amanner to adjust selectively the tension on said belts and to compensatefor belt wear or stretch.

Another object of this invention is the provision of adjusting means fora pair of belts connecting an agitate and spin mechanism to a primemoving system whereby one of said belts is slippingly interposed betweensaid system and said mechanism and the other of said belts isnonslippingly interposed between said mechanism and said system.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention areclearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of a clothes washer adapted for use withthis invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the actuating mechanismfor the above clothes Washer;

FIGURE 3 is a top elevational view of the actuating mechanism;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the clotheswasher actuating mechanism;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view of the motor mounting bracket assembly;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 in FIGURE 4 showing thepivot connection between the motor and motor mounting bracket;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of another embodiment ofthis invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a graph of belt tension versus open line voltage todetermine desired areas of belt tensioning for accomplishing eitherslipping or nonslipping belt drive.

In accordance with this invention and with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2,the clothes washer 10 is shown as having an outer cabinet 12, an innerwater container 14, an actuating mechanism compartment 16 and a bulkheadl8 separating in Water tight relationship said water container 14 fromsaid compartment 16. Atop loading door 20 is hingedly mounted to saidcabinet for access to the interior thereof. Within the clothes washer10' a spin tub 22 is rotatably mounted. An agitator 24 is includedwithin the tub 22 and adapted for vertical reciprocation. The clotheswasher 10 may include a hot and cold water supply conduit 26 which isdirected selectively by valves 28, 30 to a nozzle 32 overlying the topopening of the spin tub. Tub 22 also includes outlet ports 33 throughwhich water may be centrifuged from the tub. Thus, the clothes washer 1%is provided with facilities to contain the clothes, to Wash the clothesand to spin or centrifuge the water from the clothes at the conclusionof washing.

The compartment 16 is used to house an actuating mechanism 34 which iseffective to reciprocate or pulse the agitator 24 at either 220 pulsesper minute or 330 pulses per minute. Similarly, the actuating mechanism34 may selectively rotate the spin tub 22 at either 330 revolutions perminute or 850 revolutions per minute. The actuating mechanism 34 isinterconnected by a cen tral solid shaft 36 to the agitator and by aconcentric tubular shaft 35% to the spin tub 22. A resilient housing 40aids in supporting the actuating mechanism 34 and provides a water-tightseal between the water container 14 and the actuating mechanismcompartment 16.

The actuating mechanism 34 is comprised of an agiaozaeaa tate andspinning mechanism 42 and a prime moving system 44 for motivating themechanism 42. More particularly, the agitate and spinning mechanism 42includes a rotatable housing 46 which carries a high speed spin drivenpulley 48 and a relatively larger pulley 56 which is driven in effectingselectively low speed spin (330 r.p.m.), low speed agitate (220 pulsesper minute) and high speed agitate (330 pulses per minute). Forpartially supporting the agitate and spinning mechanism 42 and dampingthe vibrations thereof, a snubber bracket 52 substantially circumscribesthe rotatable housing 46 on two sides. The snubber bracket 52 is mountedon a snubbing spring 54 to a channel 56 mounted in the bot- :tom of theclothes Washer 10. Thus, the mechanism 42 is carried by both theresilient mount 40 and the snubber bracket 52 to effect a resilientquietly operating support arrangement. For additional details relatingto the agifate and spin mechanism 42, reference may be had to the Patent2,758,685, issued August 14, 1956, to K. O. Sisson. It should be noted,however, that the teachings of this invention are not necessarilylimited to the particular Sisson mechanism.

In addition to the agitate and spinning mechanism 42, the actuatingmechanism 34 includes a prime moving system 44. This prime moving system44 includes a reversible 4 pole, 6 pole, two speed, capacitor startmotor 58 having an upper motor shaft extension 60 and a lower motorshaft extension 62. The motor shaft extension 60 extends upwardly toreceive an impeller 64 which aids in the cooling of motor 58. The lowershaft extension 62 extends downwardly into a centrifugal pump 66 whereit is utilized to pump water carried from the water container 14 througha conduit 68 to a discharge conduit 70. The pump 66 is supported at thelower terminus of support columns 72 affixed to a motor support bracket74. On the motor shaft extension 62 between the motor support bracket 74and the pump 66 are mounted the selectively operated drive pulleys 76and 78. The top pulley 76 is utilized to rotate the housing 46 of theagitate and spinning mechanism 42 through the driven pulley 48 on saidhousing for high speed spin. The remaining functions of low speed spin,and high and low speed agitate are accomplished through the lowersmaller drive pulley 78. Both pulleys 76 and 78 are relatively rotatablymounted on the motor shaft extension 62. A shifter clutch 80' isinterposed between the upper pulley 76 and the lower pulley 78, theclutch being adapted to slide axially along the motor shaft but keyedthereto for rotation with the motor shaft 62. The clutch 88 is movedupwardly into engagement with the high speed spin drive pulley 76 ordownwardly into engagement with the lower low speed spin, high and lowspeed agitate pulley 78 by a shifter yoke 82 operated by a solenoid 84.The clutch 80 includes a frictional material 86 (see FIGURE 4) on itsupper surface to engage the lower surface of pulley 76. When the clutch'80 is raised, the frictional material 86 provides a locking frictionaldrive between clutch 80 and pulley 76. On the bottom, however, theclutch 80 is formed with dogs 90 to effect a dogged engagement with thelower agitate and low speed spin pulley 78.

Thus, the energization of solenoid 84 will lift the shifter yoke 82 andthe clutch to frictionally engage the upper high speed spin pulley 76,and the agitate and spin housing 46 will be rotated through high speedspin driven pulley '48. Conversely, the deenergization of solenoid 84will cause the clutch 80 to be placed into dogged engagement with pulley78 to rotate the housing 46 through agitate and low speed spin drivenpulley 50. Interconnecting the upper pulleys 76 and 48 is a V-belt 92and interposed between the lower pulleys 78 and 58 is a V-belt 94. Foradditional details relating to the construction of the shifter clutch80, reference may be had to copending application Serial No. 738,330,filed May 28, 1958, now Patent No. 2,974,542, and assigned to a commonassignee. For the purpose of this invention,

tor mounting or pivot brackets 98, 108.

however, the general description of the clutch is believed adequate.

The prime moving system 44 is pivoted for rocking movement about ahorizontal axis 96 at one end of mo- It is desirable that the horizontalaxis extend through the center of mass for the prime moving system 44.In this Way outof-balance stresses are minimized and the life of theactuating mechanism 34 increased. The brackets 98, 100 are horizontallyadjustable by means of slots 102 to position laterally the prime movingsystem 44 with reference to the agitate and spinning mechanism 42. Thedetails of this adjustable arrangement will be described more fullyhereinafter. For more critical adjustment of the prime moving system 44relative to the agitate and spinning mechanism 42 and in particular thebelt tensioning thereof, a pair of belt tensionadjusting springs 104,186 are adjustably interposed between the system 44 and mechanism 42.

The adjusting springs 104 and 106 are more clearly seen in FIGURES 2 and3. The motor 58 is shown with a pair of ported tabs 108, 110 fastened asat 112 to the motor housing. A prime moving system attachment platform114 is welded as at -117 to the fixed tubular housing 45 of the agitateand spinning mechanism 42. The m0- tor mounting or system pivot brackets98 and 180 are joined by a spring tension adjusting bracket 116 (FIG-URE 5). The bracket 116 has an arcuate rise or rib 1 18 to compensatefor tolerances between the motor mounting brackets 98 and 180 whenfastened as by bolts 128 to the attachment platform or bracket 114 ofthe agitate and spinning mechanism. The tension spring adjusting bracket116 is formed with side extension porrtions 126, 128. Spring adjustingports 130, 132 and 134 are included in the bracket extension 126.Similarly, adjusting ports 136, 138 and 140 are formed in the bracketextension 128. As will be more clearly understood hereinafter, theseports are utilized to selectively tension the springs 1104 and 106 toachieve the desired slipping characteristic between the lower drive belt94 and the lower, relatively small agitate andlow speed spin drivepulley 78. FIGURE 5 shows the motor mounting bracket assembly-thetension spring adjusting bracket 1'16 connecting the motor mountingbrackets 98 and 108 as by any suitable fastening means, such as welding.It will be seen that the bracket 98 has an end portion 141 whichoverlies the mechanism afiixed attachment platform bracket 11-4- at oneside thereof. At the other side of the mechanism bracket 114, an endportion 142 is formed on the mounting bracket 100 to cooperatetherewith. It is the extended motor mounting bracket portions 141 and142 that have formed therein the prime moving system adjusting slots102. Thus, the following steps are used to assemble the snubber bracket52, the agitate and spinning mechanism 42 and the motor mounting bracketassembly 115.

As aforesaid, the agitate and spin mechanism 42 has attached to itsfixed tubular housing 45 the mounting bracket 114. The mounting bracket114 runs longitudinally along the shaft 45 for the depth of theattachment portions 141 and 142 of the pivot brackets 98 and 100. Thesnubber bracket 52 is placed in position around the rotatable housing 46of the mechanism 42 and bolts 128 are inserted through ports at the topof the snubber bracket, through the slots 10-2 and then are threadedlyengaged in a vertical wall of the mechanism mounting bracket or platform114. As the bolts 120 are drawn tight, it may be seen that the arcuatehump 118 in the tension spring adjusting bracket 116 will provide theplay necessary to compensate for any tolerance in the wid;h of themounting bracket 114 to which the pivot bracket extensions 141 and 142are juxtaposed. Since the motor mounting bracket assembly is secured tothe mechanism 42 by means of the slots 102, the bracket assembly may beeffectively moved laterally away from the fixed tubular shaft 45 of theagitate and spinning mechanism 42. This is one means for adjusting therelative position of prime moving system '44 and agitate and spinningmechanism 42, as well as tensioning the belts 92 and 94 therebetween.

As pointed out in connection with FIGURE 1, the prime moving system 44is pivoted at its center of mass 96. The details of this pivotalconnection are seen in FIGURE 6. The motor 58 is shown as having anouter casing 146 enclosing the stator iron 148. A hole 150 is tappedinto the stator iron to receive a pivot bolt 152. At each end of themotor, pivot brackets 98 and 100 are formed in turned flanged openings154 through which bolts 152 insert. In assembling the motor 58 to thepivot brackets 98 and 100, a metal washer 156 is placed adjacent themotor casing 146 about the tapped opening 155). A resilient washer 158is interposed between the steel washer 156 and the pivot bracket flangedopening 154. A resilient bushing 160 circumscribes an enlarged shankportion 1620f the bolt 152 to minimize vibration noise and Weartransmitted from the motor 58 to the pivot brackets 98 and 100. Thepivot assembly may be drawn tight by threading the bolt 152 into thetapped opening 156, the enlarged bolt portion 152 forming a shoulderwhich sets solidly on the metal washer 156. In this way, the primemoving system 44 is free for limited pivotal movement about thehorizontal pivot axis 96 eX- tending through the motor 58 between themounting pivot bolts 152. By positioning the pivot axis at the center ofmass for the prime moving system 44, there are no oscillations and,thus, the torque forces which could cause a relative lateral rockingmovement between the prime moving system 44 and the agitate and spinmechanism 42 are eliminated.

It is also desirable to minimize vibration and noise at the shifterclutch 86. Reference may be had to FIG- URE 4 wherein the clutch 80 isshown motivated by a clutch shifter yoke 82 pivoted at 83 by thesolenoid 84. Service adjustments may be necessary on the shifter yoke 82to position correctly the upper and lower face of the shifter clutch inrelation to the drive pulleys 76 and 78. For this purpose, the armatureof the solenoid S4 acts on a threaded rod 166 which transmits solenoidmotion to the shifter yoke 82. Yoke adjustment is accomplished by a wingnut 168, a knurled edge disc not 170, a rubber washer 172, a spring 174,a knurled edge disc nut 176 and a wing nut 178. Thus, the position ofthe shifter yoke 82 along the threaded actuating arm 166 may beadjustably and resiliently positioned by the selective movement of nuts168, 170, 176 and 178.

As aforesaid, the motor 58 is a reversible 4 pole, 6 pole, two speedinduction motor. The motor includes a phase or start winding which isdropped out by the action of a centrifugal device of the type shown inthe patent to Werner 2,182,977 issued December 12, 1939. When a motor ofthe type described is used in the prime moving system 44 and the washingmachine 10 controlled in accordance with the automatic washing cycletaught in copending application Serial No. 748,412, now Patent No.2,976,710, to Sisson et 211., it is desirable that the start winding becut out at approximately eighty percent of the selected running speedfor the motor 58. This problem is made more critical in an actuatingmechanism wherein the prime moving system 44 is directly connectedthrough a plurality of belts to an agitate and spinning mechanism 42.Since the desired washing machine operating speeds are accomplishedthrough the proper size selection of pulleys 76 and 48 and 78 and 50, itis necessary that the motor 58 be properly accelerated with the startwinding properly dropped out under any of the speed conditions facedwith two speed agitate and two speed spin. 'It will be noticed that theupper pulley 76 is greater in diameter than the lower pulley 78 and,thus, has more of the belt 92 in contact therewith than does the smallerpulley 78 with belt 94. "In view thereof, a pulley-belt design whicheffects a correct driving relationship between clutch 8!), spin drivepulley 76 and belt 92 will not produce a similar satisfactory drivingconnection between clutch 80, relatively small pulley 78 and belt 94. Ifa common pulleybelt design is used, inconsistent washer operation andunwanted cycling of the start winding cutout switch frequently resultswhen the motor 58 is driving the agitate and spinning mechanism 42through the smaller pulley 78 for high and low speed agitate andespecially low speed spin. It should be stated that both the tub spinspeeds of 330 r.p.m. and 850 r.p.m. are accomplished with the motor 58operating in one direction and connected for 4 pole high speedoperation. The difference is merely in the positioning of the clutch 80.When the clutch 80 is moved upwardly into engagement with pulley 76, thetub 22 is rotated at high speed or 850 r.p.m. When the clutch 80 isdropped into dogged relation with pulley 78, the tub 22 is rotated at330 r.p.m.the difference in spin speeds being accomplished solely due tothe difference in size between drive pulleys 76 and 78 and theirrespective driven pulleys 48 and 50. Note also that at the initiation ofeach spinning operation, high or low speed, substantially the sametorque is transmitted from the tub 22 to the prime moving system 44.

The problem which this invention is designed to overcome arises in abelt and pulley system wherein the size of a high speed spin drivepulley 76 permits a nonslipping engagement with its respective belt 92,but wherein the relatively small size of the low speed spin drive pulley78 promotes a slipping engagement (uncontrolled and unpredictable) withits driven belt 94 due to insufficient belt wrap on the small pulley. Onlow speed spin as the motor 58 and, thus, the pulley 78 accelerate, theslip between pulley 78 and belt 94 continues. At the point where thecentrifugal speed of the motor indicates a start winding cutout, themotor 58 is shifted solely onto its 4 pole nm winding. Assoon as thestart winding is dropped out in a prime moving system 44 without thisinvention, the motor torque decreases to the point where it frequentlyis unable to continue accelerating the tub 22 into the selected lowspeed 330 r.p.m. speed. Thus, the motor 58 decelerates until the startwinding is cut back in. This intermittent cycling on the start windingswitch creates undesirable wear on the switch and slow undependableoperation of the low speed spin. This invention, therefore, proposes amethod for improving the prime moving system 44 and for controlling theslippage existing between the small pulley 78 and the belt 94 withoutaltering the nonslipping drive connection between the high speed spinpulley 76 and its belt 92, and without placing the belt 92 in suchtension that the motor 58 will be overburdened therefrom.

With reference to FIGURE 8, belt tension in pounds is plotted on theordinate against the open line voltage available to the motor 58 alongthe abscissa. For the purposes of this invention, a nonslippingengagement is desired between the belt 92 and its drive pulley 76. Toinsure nonslip a raw edge V-belt 92 is selected. It is also determinedto select a lower belt 94 which would provide a slipping engagementbetween belt 94 and pulley 78--a slipping engagement, however, that canbe controlled by the concepts of this invention. For this purpose aneoprene coated belt 94 is selected, whose slipping or Wearcharacteristics are substantially unchanged throughout its belt life. Astraight line curve is plotted on the graph to show the effect of thetensioning on the lower slipping belt 94. Similarly, curve 182 issymbolic of the eflfect of upper nonslipping belt 92 tensioning on thevoltage draw of motor 58. In solving the above described problem, abelting arrangement is sought for a prime moving system 44 which couldaccomplish a controled slipping drive through one of its belts and anonslipping drive through another of its belts. It is also desired thatthe prime moving sys- 7 tom 44 be operated satisfactorily within 'tenpercent under normal line voltage and ten percent over line voltage.

Utilizing the above system criteria and with reference to the lower beltcurve 180, it should be noted that the graph area 134 indicates theoperating conditions wherein the lower belt will cause undesirable startwinding switch cycling, i.e. insuthcient belt tension to accelerate theagitate and spin mechanism at a given line voltage. Similarly, an area186 shows graphically the operating conditions in which the upper belt92 will slip in spite of its raw edge characteristic, i.e. insufficientbelt tension to transmit full motor power at excessive voltage to theagitate and spin mechanism 42. By extending the line indicative of tenpercent under line voltage into engagement with the lower belt curve189, a maximum tension of approximately thirty pounds is established forthe lower belt. Conversely, by extending a line indicative of tenpercent over line voltage into engagement with the upper belt curve 182,a minimum tension of approximately 16 pounds is established. With thisgraphic analysis, it was learned that a recommended operating range inwhich the slip of the lower belt 94 could be controlled lay between thebelt tension curves 189 and 182 for the lower and upper beltsrespectively. The plus or minus ten percent voltage figures wereselected as indicative of those conditions most likely to occur innormal domestic service and during clothes washer operation. To providefor additional factors of safety, a recommended range 138 was selectedwherein the lower belt would slip in a predictable fashion and the topbelt would effect a nonslipping drive. It should also be noted that agraph of motor wattage draw versus belt tension would also be a straightline function similar to that plotted in FIGURE 8. With thisunderstanding, the upper and lower limits of the recommended range188were selected to provide a belt tension on the lower belt 94 whichwould neither produce too much slip nor too little slip. In the case oftoo much slip, for instance, the vertical reciprocating pulses of theagitator 24 would be less than the desired high speed agitate of 330pulses per minute. Conversely, insuflicient slip, i.e. belt tension tootight, would cause cycling on the start winding cut-out switch duringlow speed spin at under voltage conditions. These limiting factors were,thus, correlated into a recommended range 188 for the lower slippingbelt 94 which would provide the desired pulse rate (330 pulses perminute) for agitation plus the desired low speed spin (330 rpm.) withoutrepeated start winding switch cycling during motor acceleration. Thegraphic analysis of FIGURE 8, thus, permits us to select a belt tensionwhich would provide a controlled slip after the motor start winding iscut out until tub load requirements are less than the transmission ofthe belt. Thereafter, the pulley 7 8 is effective to drive the agitateand spin mechanism 42 in a nonslipping manner to effect a low speed 330rpm. spin.

The aforementioned components of this novel actuating mechanism 34 arecorrelated as follows to accomplish the desired results of thisinvention. The prime moving system 44 including the motor 58, thepulleys 76 and '73 and the pump 66 are mounted within the pivot brackets98 and 19% at the systems center of mass established as along an axis 95through the motor 58. The motor mounting bracket assembly 115 is looselybolted to the mechanism affixed platform bracket 114 in juxtaposition tothe snubber bracket 52. The nonslipping raw edged belt 92 is assembledabout the pulleys 48 and 76. Similarly, the neoprene coated slippingbelt 94 is placed about the pulleys 50 and 78. The belt adjustingsprings 164 and 106 are placed with one of their ends connectedrespectively with the motor mounting tabs 10-8 and 110. The oppositeends of the springs 104 and 106 are placed in the center adjusting port138 and 132 respectively. Thus, the prime moving system 44 isresiliently secured to the agitate and spin mechanism 42 by the springs104 and 1% pivoting the system about the pivot bolts 152.

Next, with the bolts 1'20 loosened, the prime moving system 44 and themotor mounting bracket assembly is moved laterally away from the agitateand spin mechanism 42. The slots 162 in the pivot brackets 98 and 1%permit this lateral movement. At the point where the tension on the topbelt 92 is between 30 and 35 pounds, the four bolts E25} are tightenedto securely position the prime moving system 44 with lateral referenceto the agitate and spin mechanism 42. At this point, the bottom belt 94will also be tensioned to a lesser extent than was top belt 92. However,the 30 to 35 pound tensioning of the top belt is the determining factor.The lateral outward movement of the prime moving system 44 to initiallytension the top belt 92 also serves to accommodate any slight tolerancein belt size or matching between belts 92 and 94. Lastly, the springs104 and 1% are selectively positioned in any remaining combination ofthe tension spring adjusting bracket ports 139, 132, 134 for spring 166and ports 136, 138 and 140 for spring N94. With this last springadjustment the proportion of tension on bottom to top belt is placed atabout 2 to 3-20 pounds on the slipping belt 94 and 30 pounds on thenonslipping belt 9'2. It has been determined that a motor wattage drav.of from 750 watts to 1000 watts during initial slipping acceleratingdrive between pulley 73 and belt 94 is satisfactory to produce thedesired pulsing speeds of 220 and 330 pulses per minute, as well as thelow speed tub spin of 330 rpm. It should also be observed that thewattage draw during slipping engagement of pulley '78 and belt 94 isincreased by tightening the tensioning of springs 1G4 and 1%.Conversely, a loosening of the springs 104 and 196 will reduce thewattage draw. The six ports in the tension spring adjusting bracket 116permit five adjustment settings for the tension on lower belt 94.

A second embodiment of the applicants invention is shown in FIGURE 7,wherein only the belt tension spring is shown. Both the prime movingsystem 44 and the agitate and spin mechanism 42 are the same in thisembodiment as with that first described. In this arrangement, the motormounting brackets 93 and 100 are also the same as in the preferredembodiment. Similarly, the brackets include the same adjusting slots 102through which the bolts 12% act to adjust the lateral positioning ofagitate and spin mechanism 42 from the drive motor 58. In this secondembodiment, fianges 2% are used on the brackets K5 and 166 to supportthe ends 262 of a spring rod 204. From one pivot bracket flange Ztlt)spring rod 2&4 is bent around the pivot bolt 152 and wrapped around thecylindrical casing of the motor 53 to the opposite side of the motorwhere it engages a similar flange 2% on the opposite motor mountingbracket 1%. It should be pointed out that the spring rod 204 is a singlepiece and merely operates to bias the motor 58 in a counterclockwisepivoting direction, as seen in FIG- URE 7. The continuous biasing effectof the spring rod 2'04- operates to maintain both the slipping andnonslipping belts under a different tension in the ratio of theirdistances from the pivot point through bolts 152. It is important tomaintain this tension on the belts so that a controlled slip is effectedduring spin acceleration for the life of the belts $2, 94. The brackets98 and 100 in this embodiment also may be moved in and out to get thedesired initial belt tensioning as with the preferred embodiment. Note,however, that the FIGURE 7 arrangement does not have the sensitiveadjustable spring belt tensioning which the preferred embodimentprovides through the springs 104, 196.

It should now be seen that an improved prime moving system has beendisclosed for an agitate and spinning mechanism, where such mechanismand such system are connected directly as by belts. A drivingcombination is utilized wherein a slipping engagement may be utilized tocushion acceleration shocks and wherein such slipping can be controlledat a desired slipping motor wattage by the adjusting means of thisinvention. Further, resilient mounts are utilized to effect quietoperation. Still further, the prime moving system is mounted in a mannerat its center of mass to eliminate the possibility of operating torqueswhich could stress the mechanism. Lastly, this invention teaches acombined agitate and spinning mechanism and prime moving system thereforwhich is compact, easy to manufacture, simple to adjust and easilyserviced.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed,constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. in combination with a washing machine having a spin twb, an agitator,and an agitate and spin mechanism for rotating said tub andreciprocating said agitator, said agitate and spin mechanism having aspin driven pulley and an agitate and spin driven pulley connectedthereto, a bracket for snubbing said mechanism, said bracket beingattached to a portion of said mechanism, a prime moving system adjacentsaid agitate and spin mechanism and rocking-1y movable relative to saidmechanism, said system having a motor, a, motor shaft, a spin drivepulley relatively rotatably mounted on said shaft, an agitate and spindrive pulley relatively rotatably mounted on said shaft, a clutch onsaid shaft and interposed between said drive pulleys and a clutchoperator for manipulating said clutch selectively into engagement withone of said drive pulleys, a prime moving system mounting bracketslidably attached at one end to said mechanism and pivotally mounted atthe other end to said prime moving system about a horizontal axis, anonslipping belt connecting said spin drive pulley and said spin drivenpulley, a slipping belt connecting said agitate and spin drive pulleyand said agitate and spin driven pulley, and means for selectivelyadjusting the tension on said belts.

2. An adjustable prime moving system horizontally pivotally connected atits center of mass to an agitate and spin mechanism comprising, a highand low speed motor having a start winding, a shaft for said motor, apair of selectively powered drive pulleys on said motor shaft, one ofsaid drive pulleys being relatively large and powered by said motor onhigh speed and the other of said drive pulleys being relatively smalland powered on either high or low speed, a pair of driven pulleys onsaid agitate and spin mechanism in juxtaposition to said drive pulleys,a first belt interconnecting said relatively large drive pulley with oneof said driven pulleys, a second belt interconnecting said relativelysmall drive pulley with the other of said driven pulleys, and means forselectively varying the tension on each of said belts to control theamount of slipping on one of said belts.

3. The prime moving system of claim 2 wherein said last named meansincludes means for laterally adjusting said system relative to saidmechanism, and resilient means for pivotally adjusting said systemrelative to said mechanism.

4. In combination with a washing machine having a spin tub, an agitator,and an agitate and spin mechanism for rotating said tub andreciprocating said agitator, said agitate and spin mechanism having aspin driven pulley and an agitate and spin driven pulley connectedthereto, a bracket for snubbing said mechanism, said bracket beingattached to a portion of said mechanism, a prime moving system adjacentsaid agitate and spin mechanism and rockingly movable relative to saidmechanism, said system having a motor, a motor shaft, a spin drivepulley relatively rotatably mounted on said shaft, an agitate and spindrive pulley relatively rotatably mounted on said shaft, a clutchaxially slidably mounted on said shaft and interposed between said drivepulleys and a clutch operator for manipulating said clutch selectivelyinto engagement with one of said drive pulleys, a prime moving systemmounting bracket slidably attached at one end to said mechanism andpivotally mounted at the other end to said prime moving system, anon-slipping belt connecting said spin drive pulley and said spin drivenpulley, a slipping belt connecting said agitate and spin drive pulleyand said agitate and spin driven pulley, and means for selectivelyadjusting the tension on said belts, whereby the prime moving system maybe pivoted on said mounting bracket to effect a controlled amount ofslip between said agitate and spin drive pulley and said slipping belt.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said belt tension adjusting meansincludes a selectively positioned spring between said system and saidmechanism.

6. in combination with a washing machine having a spin tub, an agitator,and an agitate and spin mechanism for rotating said tub andreciprocating said agitator, said agitate and spin mechanism having aspin driven pulley and an agitate and spin driven pulley connectedthereto, a bracket for snubbing said mechanism, said bracketbeing'attached to' a portion of said mechanism, a prime moving systemadjacent said agitate and spin mechanism and rockingly-movable relativeto said mechanism, said system having a reversible, two speed, phasewinding start motor, a motor shaft, a spin drive pulley relativelyrotatably mounted on said shaft, an agitate and spin drive pulleyrelatively rotatably mounted on said shaft, a clutch axially slidablymounted on said shaft and interposed between said drive pulleys and aclutch operator for manipulating said clutch selectively into engagementwith one of said drive pulleys, a prime moving system pivot brackethaving one end slidably attached to said mechanism and another endpivotally mounting said prime moving system about a horizontal axis, araw edged nonslipping belt connecting said spin drive pulley and saidspin driven pulley, a neoprene coated slipping belt connecting saidagitate and spin drive pulley and said agitate and spin driven pulley, abelt tension adjusting bracket attached to said pivot bracket and havinga plurality of adjusting holes therein, and a belt tension adjustingspring connecting said motor to said adjusting bracket whereby the primemoving system may be pivoted on said pivot bracket to effect acontrolled amount of slip between said agitate and spin drive pulley andsaid neoprene coated slipping belt.

7. An adjustable prime moving system horizontally pivotally connected toan agitate and spin mechanism comprising, a high and low speed motor, ashaft for said motor, a pair of selectively powered drive pulleys onsaid motor shaft, one of said drive pulleys being relatively large andpowered by said motor on high speed and the other of said drive pulleysbeing relatively small and powered on either high or low speed, a pairof driven pulleys on said agitate and spin mechanism in juxtaposition tosaid drive pulleys, a first belt interconnecting said relatively largedrive pulley with one of said driven pulleys, a second beltinterconnecting said relatively small drive pulley with the other ofsaid driven pulleys, and

means for selectively varying the tension on each of said belts tocontrol the amount of slipping on one of said belts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

